What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Biologist position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
This position serves as Without Compensation Research Biologist within the Office of Research and Development (ORD). The VA Research Program strives to promote Veteran-centered care to improve patient experiences and outcomes across VA healthcare and community settings - and to advance value-driven care by providing Veterans the highest quality care at the lowest financial burden. Please note - there is not pay associated with this position. There is no pay associated with this position
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 04/15/2026. Experience: You must possess general experience in any type of work that demonstrates designing and executing biochemical methods such as extraction of ribonucleic acid and protein - quantification - and characterization of primary cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells; or (2) generating and characterizing genetically modified animal models to study human diseases. AND - Education: You must possess a degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences - agriculture - natural resource management - chemistry - or related disciplines appropriate to the position OR do you possess a combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major such as biological sciences - agriculture - natural resource management - chemistry - or related disciplines - plus appropriate experience (Copies of transcripts are required at the time of application) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Reasoning Critical Thinking Research Technical Competence Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Duties
This position serves as Without Compensation Research Biologist within the Office of Research and Development (ORD). The VA Research Program strives to promote Veteran-centered care to improve patient experiences and outcomes across VA healthcare and community settings - and to advance value-driven care by providing Veterans the highest quality care at the lowest financial burden. Please note - there is not pay associated with this position. There is no pay associated with this position
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 04/15/2026. Experience: You must possess general experience in any type of work that demonstrates designing and executing biochemical methods such as extraction of ribonucleic acid and protein - quantification - and characterization of primary cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells; or (2) generating and characterizing genetically modified animal models to study human diseases. AND - Education: You must possess a degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences - agriculture - natural resource management - chemistry - or related disciplines appropriate to the position OR do you possess a combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major such as biological sciences - agriculture - natural resource management - chemistry - or related disciplines - plus appropriate experience (Copies of transcripts are required at the time of application) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Reasoning Critical Thinking Research Technical Competence Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Duties
- Major Duties: Establish a research program and project to conduct grant-specific studies
- Develop - adapt and pursue new experimental methodology as needed to fulfill research objectives
- Coordinate ongoing studies with other investigators - collaborate with expertise - and design/write VA research applications and publish study results
- Provide and present oral and written research presentations and identify clinically relevant areas for future investigations
- Work Schedule: Intermittent Temporary (Without Compensation)